What are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are characterized by severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors and associated distressing thoughts and emotions about food and body weight. Eating disorders affect up to about 5% of the population and is relatively more prevalent in adolescents and young adults. The most common eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.

Symptoms of eating disorders

• The symptoms of an eating disorder depend on the disorder an individual has. The symptoms of anorexia may include:
• Dizziness or fainting from dehydration
• Brittle hair/nails
• Cold intolerance
• muscle weakness and wasting
• Severe constipation, bloating, and fullness after meals
• Cessation of menstrual cycle in females
• Stress fractures from compulsive exercise as well as bone loss resulting in osteopenia or osteoporosis (thinning of the bones)
• Depression, irritability, anxiety, poor concentration and fatigue

Symptoms of Bulimia include;

• frequent trips to the bathroom right after meals
• Large amounts of food disappearing or unexplained empty wrappers and food containers
• Chronic sore throat
• Swelling of the salivary glands in the cheeks
• Dental decay resulting from erosion of tooth enamel by stomach acid
• Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux
• Laxative or diet pill misuse
• Recurrent unexplained diarrhea

How are eating disorders treated?

Severe cases of Anorexia may require hospitalization to restore nutrition and hydration.  Psychotherapy such as individual and family therapy is often effective for anorexia. Medications such as SSRIs are also used to treat symptoms associated with eating disorders.